Islandport Press - About Us

About Us

Islandport Press Inc., is an independent award-winning publisher dedicated to producing quality books that detail and amplify the rich social, cultural, and economic history of Northern New England. We strive to tell good, accessible stories that give authentic voice to real people.

We are also committed to reviving and reissuing out-of-print classics or out-of-print books that we think should be classics. We always welcome suggestions on any book set in or about Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont that you think should be reprinted. Please email us with suggestions at books@islandportpress.com.

In addition to our own titles, we also distribute a small number of select books, CDs, and DVDs produced by other publishers that we think are a good fit with our overall catalog and mission.

Distribution
Islandport Press books are available at nearly all bookstores and many specialty stores in Maine as well as at many booksellers in New Hampshire and Vermont. Nationally, Islandport Press books can be purchased or ordered at any Barnes and Noble store, or can be purchased via the internet.
Any reseller interested in selling Islandport books should contact us directly for terms. More info...

Editorial Submissions
We do accept and review unsolicited completed manuscripts. We will not accept or review a project based on a query only. Please read our catalog closely when considering whether to submit a book. We publish books about Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. That does not mean books that are just set in those states; they need to be about those states and characterize their culture and people.

For adult titles, we specialize in non-fiction, but do also consider, very occasionally, fiction. The genres we do not publish include poetry, fantasy, crime, self-help, erotica, and science fiction. For children's books, we will consider picture books, story books, middle grade chapter books, and young adult titles. For middle grade and YA titles, you must submit a completed manuscript as well as a one-page synopsis of the book.

We prefer to work directly with authors, but we do accept manuscripts from agents.

We prefer paper copies of manuscripts, but e-mailed Word documents are acceptable. If you are submitting a children's book that you have illustrated, please include copies of your illustrations, but keep in mind that if we accept your manuscript, we still may decide to choose our own illustrator.

Please send: a cover letter, a brief author bio, and a copy of your manuscript. If you want your manuscript returned, you must include a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage. Remember to include your contact information including e-mail address. If you are making simultaneous submissions to other publishers, please note this in your query letter. Again, we can not guarantee the return of your manuscript. Please do not submit your only copy! Send material to:

For Adult Books: Acquisitions Editor
For Children's / YA Books: Melissa Kim, Senior Editor, Children's Books
Islandport Press
P.O. Box 10
Yarmouth, Maine 04096

We receive a large number of manuscripts, so once you have submitted yours, we ask that you please be patient. We will try to reply within three months.

Illustrator Guidelines
We are committed to supporting artists who live and/or work in New England. We are always interested in seeing work from new illustrators. If you would like to send us samples of your portfolio, please send us copies (never send originals) to:

Melissa Kim, Senior Editor, Children's Books
Islandport Press
P.O. Box 10
Yarmouth, Maine 04096

Please include a cover letter, artist bio, and full contact information. You are also welcome to send a CD or send a link to an online portfolio.